Celebrate Día de los Muertos in San Antonio

La Panadería’s Pan de Muerto. Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.

Día de los Muertos is right around the corner and the San Antonio Museum of Art, La Panadería, and Twang are helping San Antonians embrace the holiday. (San Antonio Museum of Art, La Panadería, 2021)

San Antonio Museum of Art – Día de los Muertos Family Day
The San Antonio Museum of Art is hosting a Touch-Free Family Day celebrating Día de los Muertos on Sunday, November 7, 2021. From 11a.m. to 3p.m., families can explore the Latin American galleries with a bilingual, self-paced scavenger hunt and learn more about Día de los Muertos with a link to a story time video. Kids can also decorate a traditional sugar skull and craft tissue paper cempasúchil (marigolds). The best part is that it is free for SAISD students and families.

Link for art activity video demonstrations, virtual story time, and self-guided gallery walk available in the art kit. Art kits are first come, first served.

La Panadería – Pan de Muerto
Highlighting Mexico’s “Bread Cultura,” La Panadería will offer their classic Día de Los Muertos pan dulce like Pan De Muerto and specialty pan dulce boxes starting October 15, 2021. Guests can order their family-sized Pan de Muerto online or in-store, with pickup available from October 28 – 31, 2021.

Día de los Muertos Cocktail from Twang
WAKE THE DEAD cocktail
Single serving: Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime
1oz. Bourbon
1oz. Gin
.5 oz. simple syrup
.25 oz. lime juice
Shaken topped with ginger beer
Two dashes Angostura bitters
Recipe courtesy of Aaron Peña, Owner of Amor Eterno and Squeezebox in San Antonio, TX

WAKE THE DEAD cocktail. Photo: Mario Maldonado, used with permission.

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa is ideal off-grid destination for group activities

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in scenic Sonora, Texas. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, a hidden gem in picturesque West Texas is set amidst 13,000 acres deep in Texas Hill Country. The serene location allows visitors to relax, connect and enjoy the pure unfiltered beauty and peace of Sonora. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)   

JL Bar offers guests the best of Texas with warm southern hospitality, unparalleled service, and one-of-a-kind experiences. With over 30,000 square feet of unique indoor and outdoor meeting and event space and a private FBO airport, JL Bar is the ideal space for meetings, corporate events, incentive groups, and more.  

  • Location: Situated in Sonora, TX, a short drive from Austin, San Antonio and Dallas/Fort Worth areas, the property offers the best of both Texas Hill Country and West Texas. Guests can also arrive into  The JL Bar Ranch and Resort Full Service Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Airport, via privately chartered jet or personally owned aircraft.
  • Luxury Cabins & Cottages: JL Bar Ranch boasts 16 standalone luxury cabins and 16 spacious guest rooms with premium amenities, as well as theexclusive Archer’s Nest Villa, a six-bedroom villa that accommodates up to 12 guests and has a private swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, and a full home theatre.   
  • Meetings and Event Spaces: With more than 30,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces on property, companies have their pick of nine locations while they build morale and team spirit. The airport hangar doubles as an event space capable of holding over 1,200 people, and there are also more intimate meeting room locations that are perfect for breakout sessions and collaborative team building/grouping. 
  • Group Adventures: Groups will never need to leave the property, from a full equestrian program featuring horseback riding and a horse psychology experience to off-road ATV adventures, a Putting/Chipping Green, weekend yoga, wine tasting, Cowboy Cookouts and clay and skeet shooting, JL Bar Ranch can craft an exceptional itinerary with on-property activities and incentives for groups to enjoy.
JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers meeting and events spaces. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

Twang and Martin House Brewing announce a new limited time only beer

The new beer, Twang-a-Rang. is inspired by Mango Chili Twangerz. Photo: Martin House Brewing Co., used with permission.

Twang and Martin House Brewing Company are excited to announce a new beer inspired by Twang’s Mango Chili Twangerz. Twang-a-Rang is brewed in Fort Worth and is available throughout the state of Texas at select retailers, H-E-Bs, and bars while supplies last. (Twang, Martin House Brewing Company, 2021)

Twang-a-Rang has an initial sweet mango profile followed by chili and salt notes that are reminiscent of the Mango Chili Twangerz from which it was inspired. Brewed with mango flavoring, mango puree, and a blend of salts and spices, Twang-a-Rang boasts an alcohol content of 6.5% while excellently emulating the sweet and spicy flavor of Mango Chili Twangerz. Martin House describes the beer as tasting like a sweet mango candy with a spicy chili finish.

“Twang is really excited to be a part of this collaboration with Martin House Brewing Company. This is a great opportunity to come together with another Texas brand to create something that’s unique, but also tastes great. We encourage consumers to dress the beer with Mango Chili Twangerz to give it a Latin twist.” – Twang’s Director of Marketing Edmundo Macias.

Twang-a-Rang is available now at select retailers and bars that already carry Martin House beers throughout the state including in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas/Fort-Worth, and more. It can also be found at select H-E-Bs, Total Wines, Spec’s, Trader Joes, and will be sold in packs of 6 for a suggested range of $10-$12. Twang-a-Rang will also be available in Twang’s hometown of San Antonio at local bars: Growler Exchange, Park Bar at Pearl, Faust Tavern, and others.

“San Antonio has shown us so much love over the recent years, that it really is special to be able to team up with Twang and start a new friendship. We are looking forward to many more flavors of Twang-a-Rang and many more hangouts with our new San Antonio family.” – Martin House Brewing’s Director of Marketing Shugg Cole.

Founded and based in San Antonio, TX, Twang is a family-owned and operated creator and manufacturer of premium-flavored salts, sugars and seasonings. Credited as being “The Original Beer Salt,” Twang has produced the highest quality products designed to enhance the taste, appearance and enjoyment of both food and beverage since 1986. It’s brands include Beer Salt, Twangerz, Twang-A-Rita, Clamato Salt, and Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix. Alongside these brands Twang has successfully collaborated with some of the top food and beverage companies around the world to create innovative custom blends for a wide variety of use occasions. You can find Twang products on grocery, convenience, liquor and specialty store shelves across the country as well as available for shipping nationwide via their website.

Martin House Brewing was established in 2012 in Fort Worth, TX. What began with just four year-round brands has evolved into a beer program that distributes a new flavor every week. Brew master and owner Cody Martin empowers his team to explore an indefinite amount of beer styles. Mostly known for their Best Maid Pickle Beer, Martin House Brewing is never afraid to tackle a new beer and the adventure that comes with it. You can find Martin House beers at grocery stores, liquor stores, and independently owned craft beer retailers throughout the state of Texas.

La Panadería welcomes fall with seasonal items and Happy Hour

La Panadería’s Happy Hour Brunch is available Monday through Friday from 10a.m. to 2p.m. Photo: Giant Noise for La Panadería, used with permission.

This Fall, La Panadería is ushering in the season with new offerings and seasonal favorites. For a limited time, San Antonians and visitors to the Alamo City can enjoy new pan dulce treats, seasonal offerings for Día de los Muertos and enhanced brunch hours and menu items. (La Panadería, 2021)

What is the fall season without a pumpkin-themed treat? For a limited time, visitors to La Panadería can now enjoy a Pumpkin Pecan Croissant at any location. Developed by co-owner and Chef David Caceres, the seasonal treat brings a delicate taste to the classic autumn flavor. Nestled between La Panadería’s signature croissant, the light pumpkin cream filling is folded with cinnamon and topped with candied pecans. 

Brunch lovers can now revel in La Panadería’s Happy Hour Brunch Monday through Friday from 10a.m. to 2p.m. Guests can enjoy buy one get one free mimosas and beers during happy hour, and can also enjoy a discounted price of $10.99 on La Panadería’s brunch burger, formerly the patty melt, which has been reimagined to feature a brioche bun sandwiched with a hearty patty and topped with melted cheese and a fried egg. 

Highlighting Mexico’s “Bread Cultura,” La Panadería is now offering their classic Día de Los Muertos pan dulce like Pan De Muerto and specialty pan dulce boxes. Guests can order their family-sized Pan de Muerto online.

Hoping to share their Mexican heritage with citizens in the U.S., José and David Cáceres opened La Panadería in San Antonio, Texas in 2014. The bakery, which specializes in handmade bread, pan dulce and pastries inspired by Mexico’s Golden Era, or Epoca de Oro, draws influence from French, Italian and American bread making techniques. La Panadería’s unique approach to breadmaking includes a minimum 48-hour fermentation process that results in artisan bread and pastries unlike any other. La Panadería has three locations in San Antonio, Texas.

 

WB Liquors & Wine announces online Bourbon Vault Auction

WB Liquors & Wine’s online Bourbon Vault Auction will benefit Home For Our Troops (HFOT). Photo: google

WB Liquors & Wine has launched its exciting online Bourbon Vault Auction, which will give customers the chance to bid on 15 different bundles of rare and highly coveted bourbon bottles. The auction is only available in San Antonio, and will run from Thursday, October 14 at 10a.m. (CST) through Wednesday, October 27 at 1p.m. (CST). (WB Liquors & Wine, 2021)

The Bourbon Vault Auction will include fifteen bundles with various assortments of 2-5 bourbon bottles, including Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, W. L. Weller, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, and more.

All bundles have a starting price of $100 and additional bids can be placed at increments of $100. All bids require online registration before placing a bid. While bids will be placed online only, the location for pick-up of the bundles will be at 9801 IH-10 West San Antonio, TX 78230. Individuals can view the bourbon bundles, register an account and submit bids online. 

All proceeds from the auctions will benefit Home For Our Troops (HFOT) – a nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives.

WB Liquors & Wine has partnered with HFOT since 2017 and this year they have chosen to support Marine Corporal Raymond D. Hennagir III of Arlington, Texas. Marine Corporal Hennagir was serving as a combat engineer on his second deployment in Iraq, when he was severely injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion. The blast resulted in the loss of both his legs and several fingers on his left hand. He underwent more than 50 surgeries within two months before learning how to walk on prosthetics.

“Last year, we were able to donate over $40,000 to various food banks across Texas with our Pappy Van Winkle auction. We’re excited to try something completely new with this year’s auction, but more importantly it will allow us to build something really meaningful for veterans like Raymond Hennagir and his family – a new home.” – John Herrmann, President of WB Liquors & Wine.

WB Liquors & Wine has helped Texans across the state celebrate their special occasions for more than 50 years. As a family-owned business, the brand specializes in convenient locations and a great variety of liquor, beer and wine – along with fast, personalized and expert-level service. As of October 2021, WB Liquors & Wine operates 59 locations across the Texas region, which includes 34 WB Liquors & Wine stores and 25 WB Liquor stores adjacent to COSTCO.

Photo: WB Liquors & Wine, used with permission.

Halloween events and specials in San Antonio

The fan-favorite Pumpkin Spiked Milkshake is back this month at EVO Entertainment this month. Photo: EVO Entertainment, used with permission.

This Halloween season, some San Antonio businesses are offering special events, specials, recipes, and more to help San Antonians celebrate the spooky season. (San Antonio Museum of Art, Taco Cabana, EVO Entertainment, Bakery Lorraine, Twang 2021)

San Antonio Museum of Art
Families can enjoy the San Antonio Museum of Art in a new way by trick-or-treating throughout the museum on Sunday, October 31 from 10a.m. – 5p.m. Visitors are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes as they explore the museum’s galleries. Swords, scepters, weapons, wands, and full-face masks will not be permitted.

Taco Cabana
This Halloween season, Taco Cabana is celebrating with the return of its popular Bean and Cheese taco coupon booklets. For a limited time and while supplies last, guests can purchase the booklets for $2 each at any Taco Cabana location. Each booklet will include five coupons for a free TC classic Bean and Cheese taco, and the $2 donation from each booklet sold will directly benefit local food banks. Offer is valid until October 31 and coupons are redeemable through November 30, 2021.

EVO Entertainment
Austin, Schertz, New Braunfels and San Marcos locations
On Saturday, October 30, families can check out “Pumpkins & Popcorn” at EVO locations featuring a specialty screening of Scoob! at 11a.m. Tickets to the event include a wooden pumpkin, painting and decorating supplies, and a popcorn and candy snack bag. Limited tickets are available for purchase here.

Kyle, Schertz and San Marcos locations
On Wednesday, October 20 EVO’s Kyle, Schertz and Springtown locations will host the annual Drunken Pumpkin Parties. Guests will each get a large pumpkin, carving tools and stencils, a snack bag and hidden prizes while they enjoy a screening of the Halloween classic, Hocus Pocus. This event is 18+ and costumes are encouraged. Tickets are available here.

Throughout the month of October, select EVO locations will also be serving themed cocktails perfect for spooky season. “The Symbiote” is a strawberry margarita with a black salted rim created in honor of the highly-anticipated film Venom: Let There Be Carnage and will be available through October 31. The fan-favorite Pumpkin Spiked Milkshake is also making a return this fall, made with vodka and Baileys Pumpkin Spiced Irish Cream. A non-alcoholic version of the milkshake is also available.

Bakery Lorraine
Beginning Thursday, October 28 and through the end of the month, Bakery Lorraine will be offering a special Halloween menu at both Austin and San Antonio locations. The menu will include a black cat tart for $6 made of chocolate mousse with a vanilla filling, a lemon mummy tart for $6 made of lemon curd topped with meringue and two chocolate chips for the mummy’s eyes, a chocolate caramel tart for $6 made of a caramel filling topped with chocolate ganache, a phantom of opera cake slice for $6 layered with pumpkin spice sponge cake and buttercream topped in a rich dark chocolate glaze, a voodoo doll gingerbread cookie for $5 made of gingerbread cookie dipped in a rich dark chocolate, and a ghost moon pie for $5 made of homemade graham cookies with a honey marshmallow filling dipped in a white chocolate. 

Twang
In the spirit of celebrating Halloween on October 31, family-owned salts and seasonings company, Twang, has a themed cocktail to enjoy at home using their Twang-A-Rita Nectarberry. The cocktail is appropriately named Witch’s Brew and is composed of 2 oz. cinnamon liqueur, 3/4 pomegranate syrup, 3oz. apple cider, and topped with champagne for a single serving. If wanting to celebrate with a bigger group, their punch recipe is composed of 16 oz. cinnamon liqueur, 6oz. pomegranate syrup, 24oz. apple cider, and 1 full 750ml bottle of champagne. Recipe courtesy of  Aaron Peña, Owner of Amor Eterno and Squeezebox in San Antonio, Texas.

Bakery Lorraine’s ghost moon pie and voodoo doll gingerbread cookie. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

Halloween coupon booklets return to Taco Cabana for a limited time

‘Taco Treats For A Cause’ coupon booklets contain five coupons for a free Bean and Cheese taco. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Available now, Taco Cabana is treating guests this Halloween season with the return of its popular Bean and Cheese taco coupon booklets. For a limited time and while supplies last, guests can purchase the booklets for $2 each at all Taco Cabana restaurants across Texas now through October 31, 2021. Each booklet will include five coupons for a free TC classic Bean and Cheese taco. (Taco Cabana, 2021)

The $2 donation from each booklet sold will directly benefit local food banks in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and El Paso. Coupons are redeemable for free TC Bean and Cheese tacos (one per person, per visit) through November 30, 2021. Coupons may be redeemed in-restaurant or via TC’s convenient drive-thru.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of October 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

 

Taco Cabana’s Halloween coupon booklets. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Oxtail Mash Up returns to Project Row Houses

Oxtail Mash Up will benefit the community while enriching cultural identity. Photo: Oxtail Mash Up, used with permission.

Oxtail Mash Up, Houston’s coveted culinary mash is back and this year there will be a boozy twist and big national names. On Sunday, November 14 Houston chefs and prized bartenders will come together for a ‘mash up’ of food, drink, art, and music in celebration of the culinary diversity of oxtail and the playfulness of punch. This spirited competition of both food and drink will take place in the lush garden of Project Row Houses, where resident artists will exhibit in the venerable open studios aimed at “encouraging artists to extend their practice outside of the studio into the social context.” Not only are event attendees invited to drink, dine, and dance, but also to step into each exhibit being fully encapsulated by the power of both culinary and resident art. (Oxtail Mashup, 2021)

A percentage of proceeds raised throughout the evening will benefit Project Row Houses and Texas’ Children’s Sickle Cell Anemia programs throughout Houston. Under the glow of Project Row Houses, chefs and bartenders will go head-to-head in two inventive competitions where both judges and attendees crown the evening’s winners.

The Oxtail Mash Up is a culinary competition that brings together some of the industries’ favorite chefs, bartenders, and DJs for an evening of food and drink all for charity. Founded in 2017, this spirited competition is the brainchild of Shakti Baum and partner Warren Luckett, and held in the lush garden of Project Row Houses. The event brings awareness to Texas Children’s Sickle Cell Anemia program and its effects on the African American Community.

Oxtail Mashup welcomes the local-supporting community to gather at Project Row Houses from 6p.m. – 10p.m. on Sunday, November 14, 2021 for an evening tasting event filled with luscious chef-prepared oxtail, custom-crafted punches, black-owned/black-crafted wines, Houston craft beer, and more. Project Row Houses installations will be open and DJ Melodic will be spinning for the season’ premiere evening experience.

EAT: Fourteen chefs will pull from their diverse roots as well as gastronomic inspirations in a challenge to create stellar oxtail creations. Each chef will battle it out for smack-talking rights (people’s choice wins $500) as well as a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico (judges choice).

DRINK: Five bartenders will set the mode onto ‘Island Time’ as they work with previously selected spirits and locally sourced ingredients to craft Tiki-inspired punches. Attendees will crown the best barkeep of the night while our panel of experts selects their own winner for a grand prize of $500 cash. To bring the heat, Oxtail Mashup cofounders – chef, instructor, and event creator Shakti Baum and Black Restaurant Week Founder Warren Luckett – have invited Houston food and drink stars to battle against nationally recognized names. With each chef and bar star a master of their craft and leaders within the industry.

2021 OXTAIL MASHUP CHEFS
● Andre Burns – Burns BBQ (Houston, TX)
● Andremica Braggs – One Feisty Chef (Houston, TX)
● Curtis Evans – EMI Dinner Series / Everybody Eats Philly (Philadelphia, PA)
● Don Bowie – Taste Bar / Rare HTX (Houston, TX)
● Javani King – JKO Kitchen (Houston, TX and Oxtail Mashup 2018 winner)
● Jonny Rhodes – Broham Soul Food and Grocery / Restaurant Indigo (Houston, TX)
● Mark Clayton – Squable (Houston, TX)
● Nicola Blaque – The Jerk Shack / Mi Roti (San Antonio, TX)
● Ossume Collins – KISS (Houston, TX)
● Rishi Singh – Hotel Derek (Houston, TX)
● Robert Butts – Twisted Soul Cookhouse + Pours (Atlanta, GA) (additional chefs to be announced in the coming weeks)

2021 OXTAIL MASH UP BARTENDERS
● Ryan Perry – Rabbit Got the Gun (Houston, TX)
● Jamal Rashad – Slush (Atlanta, GA) (additional bartenders to be announced in the coming weeks)

VIP Event tickets cost $135 and include admission and early entry into the Third Annual Oxtail Mashup event, unlimited sampling of all chef-prepared bites, complimentary cocktails + Hot Toddy Bar (must be 21 or over to consume alcoholic beverages), entry into all Project Row Houses installations, and one parking pass.

General Admission event tickets cost $75 and include admission into the Third Annual Oxtail Mashup event, one sample of each chef-prepared bite, five cocktail tickets + Hot Toddy Bar (must be 21 or over to consume alcoholic beverages, and entry into all Project Row Houses installations).

Project Row Houses is a community platform that enriches lives through art with an emphasis on cultural identity and its impact on the urban landscape. We engage neighbors, artists, and enterprises in collective creative action to help materialize sustainable opportunities in marginalized communities.

Norteño Night at the Briscoe’s next Sips and Sounds of the West

Briscoe’s Sips and Sounds of the West hosts Los Callejeros De San Anto on October 24, 2021. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

From the banks of the River Walk, travel to Northern Mexico as you enjoy a night of music under the stars at the Briscoe’s “Sips and Sounds of the West” Norteño Night on October 24. Celebrating all things vaquero in honor of Hispanic heritage and the Briscoe’s fantastic fall exhibition, Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo: Contemporary Photography of the Northern Mexican Cowboy, the Briscoe’s Sips and Sounds series will spotlight Norteño music with band Los Callejeros De San Anto in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden at 6p.m. The ticketed event is a night of music, drinks and tacos under the stars. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2021)

Launched by Piñata Protest front man Alvaro Del Norte with bandmates Jose Morales on bajo sexton, bassist Richie Brown and Chris Ramirez on drums, Los Callejeros De San Anto blends well known influences of Conjunto and Norteño into the perfect Tex-Mex street band and is “abuela approved.” Sips and Sounds of the West: Norteño Night tickets are $15 for museum members and $25 for non-members. Each ticket includes two complimentary beer tickets. Food Truck fare is available for purchase from Dona Kika’s Tacos & Gorditas.

Norteño music is native to the Mexican state of Sonora, the birthplace of the modern cowboy featured in Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo. Making its United States debut at the Briscoe, the exhibition details a legacy with profound influence on the American West. With almost sixty images that span more than twenty years of the lives of the vaqueros, Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo features celebrated photographer Werner Segarra inviting audiences to peer into the world of the Norteño Cowboys, not as a casual tourist, but as an intimate observer. The exhibition is open to the public through January 24, 2022, and is included with museum admission.

Courtesy photo, used with permission

The Briscoe’s Sips and Sounds of the West series highlights the soundtrack of the West through live music while surrounded by the beauty of the garden’s fantastic bronze sculptures and lush greenery. The museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden is an oasis featuring a beautiful courtyard surrounded by bronze sculptures depicting iconic figures of the American West. The sculpture garden offers the perfect respite during any River Walk visit, with tables, chairs and benches to rest and enjoy the view. With the lights of downtown in the background and stars overhead, the garden becomes magical at night, making it the perfect spot for a date night or a night out with friends.

Preserving and presenting the art, history and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is located on the San Antonio River Walk at 210 W. Market Street in the beautifully restored 1930s former San Antonio Public Library building. Named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum includes the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for event rentals and programs, and the outdoor McNutt Sculpture Garden.

Agarita announces new season with six free concerts

Image from Postcards From The Border series. Photo: Joel Salcido, used with permission.

Agarita is “bringing the music to you” with the announcement of its new 2021-22 concert season offering six free community concerts across San Antonio expanding its reach, further exploring its relationship between music and art. (Agarita, 2021)

An innovative chamber ensemble dedicated to producing bold, collaborative musical events, Agarita offers a new way to experience classical and contemporary music. Rooted in San Antonio and founded by Daniel Anastasio (piano), Marisa Bushman (viola), Ignacio Gallego (cello), and Sarah Silver Manzke (violin), Agarita nourishes the local community through artistic collaborations, community engagement, and free, adventurous programming.

On August 24, Agarita created an American Impressionism experience at San Antonio Museum of Art. The season continues with a hosted fall event at Carver Community Cultural Center, telling a more genuine story of our Texas border with Mexico featuring Joel Salcido Ruiz, photographer and Oscar Cásares, writer. The season will end in June with a unique performance of J.S. Bach’s masterpiece The Goldberg Variations in the Chapel of the Incarnate Word.

Collaborators for the new season also include a unique concert experience inspired by the art and process of renowned local glass-blower Gini Garcia and an innovative, electronic musical work for Agarita that interacts with the sounds and flow of San Antonio’s rivers with artist and composer Nadia Botello.

“Agarita continues to share an immense drive, passion, and willingness to unite the arts and empower artists in San Antonio. By offering these six unique, free concert experiences, we hope to continue to uplift the community with inspiring art and music during this challenging and ever evolving time.” – Marisa Bushman, viola and Agarita co-president.

Postcards from the Border
Date: Friday, October 15, 2021
Time: 7:30p.m. – 8:45p.m.
Location: Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N Hackberry, San Antonio, TX 78202
Collaborator: Joel Salcido Ruiz, photographer; Oscar Cásares, writer
Description: Inspired to tell a more genuine story of our Texas border with Mexico, photographer Joel Salcido and writer Oscar Cásares traveled the length of the Rio Grande River, resulting in the series “Postcards From The Border,” which appeared in Texas Monthly. Agarita will pair music to these beautiful and poignant images, narrated by Oscar Cásares. This concert is FREE and open to the public.

Agarita Celebrates SAMA’s 40th
Date: Sunday, December 12, 2021
Time: 11a.m. – 12:15p.m.
Location: San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 West Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215
Collaborator: Highlights of SAMA’s permanent collection
Description: Agarita returns to the San Antonio Museum of Art for a concert celebrating the museum’s 40th anniversary. Musical selections will reflect artworks on display in the special exhibit. This concert is FREE and open to the public.

Agarita + Gini Garcia, Glass Artist
Date: Saturday, February 5, 2022
Time: 7p.m. – 8:15p.m.
Location: TBD
Collaborator: Gini Garcia, glass artist
Description: The art of glass-blowing is one of spontaneous, improvisatory process met with intricate design and planning. Join Agarita’s collaboration with renowned local glass-blower Gini Garcia for a concert inspired by her art and process. This concert is FREE and open to the public.

Agarita + Nadia Botello, Composer
Date: Friday, May 6, 2022
Time: 7:30p.m.
Location: TBD
Collaborator: Nadia Botello, composer
Description: Composer Nadia Botello creates an innovative, electronic musical work for Agarita that interacts with the sounds and flow of San Antonio’s rivers. Immerse yourself in this ear-opening, hydrating program. This concert is FREE and open to the public.

Variations on The Goldberg Variations
Date: Saturday, June 18, 2022
Time: 7:30p.m. – 9p.m.
Location: The Chapel of the Incarnate Word, 4503 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
Description: For a unique performance of J.S. Bach’s masterpiece The Goldberg Variations in the Chapel of the Incarnate Word, Agarita will mix Dmitry Sitkovesky’s String Trio arrangement with Bach’s original harpsichord instrumentation. This concert is FREE and open to the public.

Agarita was recently named San Antonio Magazine’s Best of the City 2021: Culture winner for its collaboration with area partners. It collaborates with local artists of various genres to weave cross-artistic narratives for each concert. Agarita’s past collaborations have included the McNay Art Museum’s Pop América exhibit, lighting artist Chuck Drew, Cameron Beauchamp from the Grammy Award-winning vocal group Roomful of Teeth, chef Elizabeth Johnson and Pharm Table restaurant, poet Laura Van Prooyen, sculptor Danville Chadbourne, educational arts institution SAY Sí, and the Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival for a concert inside San Antonio’s historic Mission San José.

As a nonprofit organization, Agarita believes that the arts should be accessible to everyone in its community. Agarita presents free public concerts, performs at local schools, and offers opportunities for other artists through its collaborations.